Two Reform UK councillors removed from party after suspension

Two suspended Reform UK councillors have now been expelled from the party via email, a spokesperson has confirmed.

Kent County Councillors Bill Barrett and Robert Ford have been kicked out by email from Reform HQ which said they had “undermined” the interests of the party and brought it into “disrepute”.

Their removal comes after a leaked video of a Reform meeting saw council leader Linden Kemkaran telling members to “f****** suck it up” when they disagreed on big decisions.

With a budget of more than £2.5 billion, Ms Kemkaran also called the council a “shop window” for what Reform could do if it ran the country.

Mr Barrett, representing Ashford, had been critical of the council hierarchy and was one of four councillors suspended following the leaked video.

Mr Ford, for Maidstone Rural West, was suspended after allegations of misconduct from an “unofficial complaint” from several female members of Kent County Council (KCC) staff.

A Reform spokesperson said: “Councillors Barrett and Ford have been expelled as their conduct undermined the interests of the party and brought Reform UK into disrepute.”

There have also been allegations of bullying from both members, which Reform has denied.

It said: “The party takes claims of bullying seriously.

“If there was any credible evidence of this we would not have hesitated to take action.”

Opposition KCC leader, Liberal Democrat Antony Hook says that Reform are offering “chaos” and “secrecy” to the public in Kent.

He said: “Reform’s chaos at KCC continues, we know that Ford has been suspended after reported complaints by female staff, which is very serious.

“Reform should explain whether they have expelled him because they believe the allegations are true.

“They do not seem to have given specific reasons for Mr Barrett’s expulsion, the public will expect openness but we see secrecy from Reform yet again.”

The PA news agency has contacted Mr Barrett and Mr Ford for comment.